Polly Toynbee

Polly Toynbee "is a Guardian columnist and broadcaster and was formerly the BBC's social affairs editor. She has won a National Press Award and has been What the Papers Say columnist of the Year. For much of 2002, Polly Toynbee took up the challenge of living in one of the worst council estates in Britain and taking whatever was on offer at the job centre. Published in February 2003, Hard Work: Life in Low-Pay Britain is a compelling, powerfully written and impassioned account of her experiences.

"Next year Bloomsbury will publish Polly Toynbee's latest book, written with David Walker, formerly chief leader writer of the Independent."


 * Ambassador, Toynbee Hall
 * Trustee, Orwell Prize